If you are not running Messenger 2009 yet (14.0.8089.726), you have to upgrade now. The server-side support for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 (2008) has been retired. The next time you sign in, you will get to see a dialog like this one:
What’s new in Windows Live Messenger 2009
Find out on this upgrade details website: http://windowslive.com/Desktop/Messenger/Upgrade.
Updating
Where can I download Messenger 2009?
Go to http://download.live.com/messenger and click the Download button.
But… I don’t want to upgrade :S
Sorry, but from now on there is no other way. I have received very many comments from users that do not like Messenger 2009 very much. My tip: try the new version for once, get to know it, force yourself to try it out for at least 2 days. Then create your objective opinion.
Are my add-ons compatible?
The latest versions of Messenger Plus! Live and MessengerDiscovery are. Download them to be sure.
Possible problems
Here is a summary of the most common error codes and problems you might get.
- Sign-in error 81000306—Proxy settings, Network auto-tuning
- Sign-in error 80072ef3—Corporate firewall, exception list
- Sign-in error 8100030d—Windows Live Contacts cache
- Sign-in error 80048821—Stored sign-in data
- Sign-in error 80048051—Visual themes, Internet Explorer offline mode
- Sign-in error 8e5e0713—Firewall configuration
- Sign-in errors 80072ee2 and 80072efd—Firewall configuration, proxy settings
- More Messenger problems and their solution
The error code you get is not listed? Leave a comment and we will see what we can do. 
More help available
If you need more help, you can get advanced support (for free, of course):
Ask the Windows Live Messenger support team and they will get back to you by e-mail.
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# 13 Nov 2009 Friday 14:29
why when i am on this website download.live.com/messenger i cant download it:(
# 11 Dec 2009 Friday 12:27
my windows live messenger fails to log on
# 12 Dec 2009 Saturday 19:30
I have tried all of your suggestions to enable me to load 2009 Messenger to no avail. I get eror code 0×80004004 every time. I am also using One Care with XP and I am currently fully updated. I have also tried removing the old version of Messenger and reinstalling. HELP!!!!
# 20 Dec 2009 Sunday 14:55
my MSN fails on log, code error: 80048820
# 26 Dec 2009 Saturday 13:45
my sign in error is 8e5e05f6
I could sign in without any problems before this update….
# 27 Dec 2009 Sunday 11:32
It has been a couple of months since I gave up on trying to upgrade to the new msn 2009. Apparently, the same problem persists.
When I try to upgrade via the prompt “A newer version is available…”, the result is an error “Windows Live Messenger could not download and verify the update file. Would you like to visit the website?”.
I click YES to visiting the website, the the site shows up as “Safari can’t open the page “http://get.live.com/messenger/overview” because the server unexpectedly dropped the connection. This sometimes occurs when the server is busy. Wait for a few minutes, and then try again.”
This is the same for other browsers I’ve used, such as Firefox and IE. And I’m trying again while I’m typing this comment, which means I’m connected to the internet. Every other web stuff I’m doing works fine, no lag no nothing.
Pls help. I have no idea how to try update my MSN.
# 27 Dec 2009 Sunday 15:01
If you can connect to any servers, but not to this (sub-) domain, you should scan your computer for DNS or Hosts file modifications, for example using the free Hijackthis scanner.
Regarding downloading Messenger:
You can also get the direct Microsoft Installer files.
Messenger Geek Jonathan Kay has published the download links, not pointing to download.live.com, in his blog.
# 27 Dec 2009 Sunday 15:18
Try these steps: http://blog.mynetx.net/2198/messenger-problems-fixing-error-8e5e05f6.
# 29 Dec 2009 Tuesday 21:53
I keep trying to download this, but it remains at 0% until I have to close it because it’s not responding. Help!?
# 31 Dec 2009 Thursday 21:24
Try downloading the single MSI installer files from the Jonathan Kay’s blog at http://messengergeek.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E3785B1281BBDA1!3332.entry.
# 03 Jan 2010 Sunday 16:32
Everytime i try and download the new msn i get the response OnCatalogResult: 0×80072ee6
I’ve tried several times but the same thing keeps showing up.
# 10 Jan 2010 Sunday 10:50
I cant sign in to my MSN the error i get is 8000402a can anyone shed a light to this problem.. much appreciated..
# 23 Jan 2010 Saturday 04:18
HELP! I DONT SEE MY CHAT WINDOW, IT LOOKS LIKE IS ON, BUT I DONT SEE IT ON THE DESKTOP, HAS ANY ONE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE?
# 24 Jan 2010 Sunday 19:46
Do you have two monitors?